Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Fish oil market may be bigger challenge than patents for Amarin, Forbes saysScientific publications, doctors' commentary, and prescription trends all hint that the U.S. market for prescription fish oil may be shifting dramatically, which could be a bigger problem for Amarin (AMRN) than patent protection for its Vascepa drug, according to Forbes. Use of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK)Lovaza, an alternative treatment, has declined, the report added. Reference Link

Pfizer should rise 'significantly' over next two years, says JefferiesJefferies analyst Jeffrey Holford told investors this morning that he expects shares of Pfizer (PFE) to appreciate "significantly" over the next two years. A survey of U.S. oncologists indicated the company's Ibrance drug will be used in 50% of first line hormonal therapy within one year, with off-label use in all lines of therapy including adjuvant, Holford noted. He thinks peak sales of the drug could top $13B, which is well above consensus. In addition, the analyst views Pfizer's Global Established Pharmaceutical business as being underappreciated by the market. Potential value creating options for the pharmaceutical giant include spinning off its GEP unit by 2017 and accretive acquisitions, with possible takeover targets being Shire (SHPG), Actavis (ACT), AstraZeneca (AZN) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in the eyes of Holford. He added the stock to the firm's Franchise Picks list, which encompasses its best ideas. He also raised his price target for Pfizer to $45 from $42. The stock closed Friday up 10c to $34.25.

On The Fly: Midday WrapStocks began the day sharply higher and have continued to tack on gains throughout the morning. The market’s move put the Nasdaq back above 5,000 and the S&P above 2,100. The market is undergoing quadruple witching, which occurs 4 times per year and typically is accompanied by high volume and volatility. ECONOMIC EVENTS: In the U.S., the economic calendar was quiet. The Baker Hughes U.S. rig count, which has been closely watched in recent months amid the protracted slide in oil prices, is expected at 1:00 pm EDT. The count of U.S. rigs stood at 1125 at the end of last week. In Europe, reports indicate German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece has agreed to send a list of overhauled reforms to European officials within days. COMPANY NEWS: Shares of Nike (NKE) advanced 4% following its Q3 earnings beat. Credit Suisse raised Nike's price target to $106 following the report, saying Nike's underlying futures growth remains in double-digits and preliminary FY16 guidance suggests management has been effective in managing currency headwinds... The shares of Biogen (BIIB) rallied 8% after the company reported results for an early stage study of its Alzheimer's drug, BIIB-037. The company announced that the three milligram, six milligram, and ten milligram dose versions of its Alzheimer's treatment, aducanumab, had reduced the amount of amyloid plaque in the brains of Alzheimer's patients taking the drug by statistically significant amounts compared with those taking placebos. The cognitive decline of patients taking BIIB-037 was also significantly less than that of patients who were taking placebos, the company reported. MAJOR MOVERS: Among the notable gainers was Prothena (PRTA), which surged 30% after announcing results from a Phase 1 single ascending dose study of its potential treatment of Parkinson's disease. Also higher was Darden Restaurants (DRI), which gained 4% after the owner of the Olive Garden and Long Horn restaurant chains reported earnings that beat expectations. Among the noteworthy losers was China's Youku Tudou (YOKU), which dropped 9% and was downgraded to Sell at Deutsche Bank after the company reported mixed Q4 results. Also lower was Theravance (THRX), which fell 7% after the company and partner GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that an FDA advisory committee voted that the efficacy data for their Breo Ellipta inhaler provides substantial evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit in adults, however it voted against approval for the proposed indication in 12-17 year olds. INDEXES: Near midday, the Dow was up 189.04, or 1.05%, to 18,148.07, the Nasdaq was up 40.24, or 0.81%, to 5,032.62, and the S&P 500 was up 19.54, or 0.94%, to 2,108.81.

GlaxoSmithKline, Theravance launch Revlar Ellipta in ItalyIn a regulatory filing, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Theravance (THRX) announced the launch of Revlar Ellipta in Italy following the recent approval by the Italian regulatory authorities in December 2014. Relvar is a fixed dose combination of the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone furoate and the long-acting beta2-agonist vilanterol. The components will be administered using the Ellipta, a dry powder inhaler. In Italy, the product is indicated for the regular treatment of asthma in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older where use of a combination medicinal product is appropriate; and for the symptomatic treatment of adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with a FEV1<70% predicted normal post-bronchodilator with an exacerbation history despite regular bronchodilator therapy.

GlaxoSmithKline, Theravance announce FDA panel outcome on Breo ElliptaGlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Theravance (THRX) announced the outcome of the joint meeting of the Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee of the United States FDA regarding the supplemental New Drug Application for Breo Ellipta as a once-daily inhaled treatment for asthma in patients aged 12 years and older. The FDA Advisory Committee voted that the efficacy and safety data for FF/VI 100/25 mcg and 200/25 mcg once daily in asthma support approval in adults 18 years of age and older (16 for, 4 against). The Committee voted that the efficacy data provides substantial evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit in adults (18 for, 2 against) and that the safety in this population has been adequately demonstrated (17 for, 3 against). The Committee voted against approval for the proposed indication in 12-17 year olds (2 for, 18 against). The Committee voted that the efficacy data was not sufficient to demonstrate the benefit (4 for, 16 against) and the safety (1 for, 19 against) has not been adequately demonstrated in this sub-population. The Committee recommended that a large LABA safety trial with FF/VI should be required in adults (13 yes, 7 no) and in 12-17 year olds (17 yes, 2 no and 1 no-vote), similar to the ongoing LABA safety trials being conducted as an FDA Post-Marketing Requirement by each of the manufacturers of LABA containing asthma treatments. FDA Advisory Committees provide non-binding recommendations for consideration by the FDA. Based on these opinions and the data presented, the FDA will make its final decision on approval, which is expected on April 30.

FDA to hold a joint advisory committee meetingThe Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety & Risk Management Advisory Committee discuss the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) 204275-S001, for fluticasone furoate and vilanterol dry powder for inhalation (with the brand name of BREO® ELLIPTA®), sponsored by Glaxo Group Limited (d/b/a GSK) for the once-daily treatment for asthma in patients aged 12 years and older in a meeting being held in Gaithersburg, Maryland on March 19 at 8 am. Webcast Link